Farming
Livestock Improvement Corporation posts solid $29 million half-year profit
The Animal genetics business has posted a solid financial result, despite revenue pressures due to the lower milk price.
Midday Rural News for 24 January 2024
R-CALF USA which represents sheep farmers is busy meeting with members of congress to push its agenda - to get higher tariffs on imported sheep-meat from New Zealand and Australia.
Sally Murphy has… Audio
US group abandons legal action on higher tariffs for NZ lamb
A US lobby group has backed down on its call for greater import tariffs on New Zealand lamb.
Morning Rural News for Wednesday 24 January 2024
News from the rural farming sector. Audio
Grower's great wall of maize to keep out selfie-seekers
A Taranaki sunflower grower has had to take security measures (of a botanical nature) to deter Instagrammers. Audio
Midday Rural News for 23 January 2024
After seven years in the top job, and 21 years at Zespri's chief executive Dan Mathieson has announced he will move on.
Sally Murphy has the rural news. Audio
Kumara in the Kaipara rebounds after Cyclone Gabrielle
It's almost a year since kumara crops, which were ready to be harvested in the Kaipara District in Northland were pretty much wiped out by two major weather events. Audio
Midday Rural News for 22 January 2024
The New Zealand wood industry is closely watching the conflict in the Red Sea as global shipping costs are rising as a result of the disrupted supply chain.
Monique Steele has the rural news.
Audio
Wool gathering pays off with high demand for natural sheepskin products
The rise in demand comes as people begin to turn away from plastic alternatives and "vegan" leather options.
Summer gardening tips with Fiona Eadie and Tony Murrell
Fiona Eadie is head gardener at Larnach Castle in Dunedin and Tony Murrell is principal designer at Auckland's Murrell Gardens. Together they have a wealth of knowledge to share and help our gardens… Audio
Racing pigs, rides and rural displays draw crowds to Kaikohe A&P
In the most anticipated political race since last year's general election, a piglet named David Seymour has beaten porker "The Jones Boy" - named in honour of NZ First's Shane Jones - by a nose.
Summer Series: Country Life for January 19
Country Life visits Pamu's deer milking operation near Taupo, learns about farming by the Maori lunar calendar - maramataka - and hears about the potential for banana-growing on the West Coast. Audio
On your marks, get set ... oink! Pig racing tries to steal the show
Pig racing with contestants named after politicians is expected to be one of the highlights of the Kaikohe A&P Show.
Hail storm causes millions in losses
A group of 12 to 15 arable farmers are counting about $6 million in losses from a late hail storm landing in a belt running from Canterbury's Methven to Highbank.
Summer Series: Country Life for January 12
Stories from the 2023 archive: Cosmo's at a high country station in the far south, Leah checks in on a toy treasure trove in Te Puke and Sally's off grid with a former Wellington mayor. Audio
'Ghastly' theft as farm loses hundreds of kgs of blueberries
At this time of year, it was a significant loss for the Bay Blueberries farm.
Criticism helps spur shearer Amy Silcock to break world record
A shearing champion says stubbornness and determination to prove critics wrong saw her crack a world record on Sunday.
